Name Sirio class In commission 2002 | Operators Marina Militare Completed 2 | |
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Cost € (EUR) 150 millions in 2000 for two vessels | ||
The Sirio class of patrol vessels consists of two units operated by the Italian Marina Militare named Costellani II class or Nuove Unità di Pattugliamento d'Altura (NUPA). These vessels were financed by the Department of Transport and Navigation, under law 413/1998, for maritime economic zone surveillance, antipollution, and rescue operations.
Contents
Features
The construction of these units is based largely on that of the Nuove Unità Minori Combattenti (NUMC); the hull and superstructure incorporate stealth features. The NUMC and Nuove Unità di Pattugliamento d'Altura (NUPA) share logistics, interoperability, features of the combat system and integrated telecommunications systems.
Each unit has two Wärtsilä NSD- W12-26 V-XN diesel engines providing 8,640 kW (11,590 hp) to two variable-pitch propellers. The ships have a top speed of 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) and a range of 3,300 nautical miles (6,100 km; 3,800 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph). Three Isotta Fraschini 1708 T2 M2 600 kW (800 hp) diesel generators each power the on-board electronics. The armament consists of two Oerlikon KBA-Alenia Oto Melara 25/80 mm machine guns with the provision to bow mount an OTO Melara 76/62 mm Super Rapid. Each unit can embark a single helicopter, either an AB-212 ASW or SH-90A NFH, but the ships lack hangars. For antipollution roles, vessels are fitted with:
Ships
The two units, built in Muggiano and Riva Trigoso bear the names of two World War II torpedo boats of the Italian Royal Navy after the war served as a spare unit in the Navy.
These units operate in conjunction with NUMC COMSQUAPAT1 of COMFORPAT, the Forces Command patrol for surveillance and Coastal Defence and have their operational base in Augusta. They serve as coastal patrol and traffic control, cargo and surveillance in immigration control.